Oil-atomizer.



J. C. SWOYER.

OIL ATOMIZR.

AAPPLICATION FILED OCT. Z6, 1914.

Patented Deo. 5, 1916.

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JOHN C. SWOYER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

,A OIL-ATOIVIIZER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

Application filed October 26, 1914. Serial No. 868,692.

To all 107mm t may concern.

Be it known that I, Jol-11N C. Swonin, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oil-Atomizers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to oil atomizers, the principal object of the invention being to provide a device wherein oil may be fed to an engine with the steam Vin an atomized or vaporized state, thus permitting the interior of the cylinder to be thoroughly lubricated.

Another object of my invention resides in so constructing the device that the ordinary heavy or steam cylinder oil may be used, this oil being likewise broken up into small particles and caused t be uniformlyand thoroughly mixed with the steam, thus requiring a relatively small amount of oil.

In carrying forth this invention, l have so constructed the device that the oil tol be used for lubricating purposes may be converted into a thin film preferably upon the surface of the body of heated water, thus providing a relatively large surface for a small amount of oil upon which the steam may act to atomize or vaporizelit.

A still further object of my invention resides in so constructing the device that it may be used in connection with lubricators of the standard type now in use.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and in which Figure 1 is a view showing my oil atomizer in use, and, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

1n carrying out my invention, I have provided a receptacle having inlet and outlet portions 11 and 12 respectively located in spaced relation with the bottom of the receptacle, so that a container is formed in its lower portion for the reception of a suitable liquid, preferably water. The upper portion of this receptacle is provided with a threaded opening 13 into which a nipple 14 is adjustably mounted, the nipple being connected with a branch pipe 15 and being further provided with a regulating valve 16. This branch pipe is in turn connected with a main steam supply pipe 18 by means of a 'l"fitting 17a and conduit 17, from which it will be apparent that a portion of the steam passing through the main pipe 18 in the direction of lthe arrows may also pass into the receptacle 10 through the pipes 17, 15 and 111 and again enter the main supply pipe 18 by the connection 12. These inlet and outlet portions to the receptacle 10 are so arranged that they are at all times unobstructed and thereby permit an open circuit for the free passage of steam therethrough. A portion of the steam entering the pipe 17 will also pass into the lubricator 18, which is of a well known type and, therefore, has not been shown in detail, by passage through the connecting pipe 17h. This lubricator carries the desired amount of oil and, therefore, serves the purpose of an oil supply device and steam led to it will in time condense and then occupy the lower portion of the lubricator as the oil is carried away, the oil being lighter than the water and naturally floating upon its surface. The connection with the main steam pipe to this lubricator further causes the feeding of the oil therefrom at the desired rate through the sight feed chamber 19 and through the pipe 20 leading into the arm 21 which communicates with the valve controlled pipe 22, the latter being threaded into the inlet 11 of the receptacle 10.

Water or any other desirable liquid may be supplied to the receptacle 10 to the level. of the connection 12 in any desired manner, but this supply is usually obtained by the condensation of the steam entering through the nipple 14. The oil which passes into this receptacle 10 through the pipe 22 will, upon entering, float upon the surface of this condensed water. Naturally, the water is very hot due to the action of the steam entering the receptacle through the upper connection 13 and this in turn causes the oil to become heated and less viscous so that it can be more readily broken up or atomized by the steam at each pulsation of the engine to which the receptacle is connected. Each pulsation of the engine naturally reduces the pressure within the receptacle 10 to so-me slight degree and since the water is at a very high temperature and just below its point of vaporization, this reduction in pressure will cause its sudden boiling and the reduction in pressure also has the effect of placing the oil film on a surface in a condition to be more readily vaporized. This agitation due to boiling and the reduction in pressure, therefore, causes the breaking up or atomlzlng of the oil to such an extent that it Will be carried in suspension Vby the steam circulating about the by-pass 17- 15-14;-10-12. This miXture of steam and oil will then enter theengine cylinder and be deposited upon its walls by direct contact therewith, or by the subsequent reduction in pressure after the steam has been cut ofi' and expansion takes place. -lt will, therefore, be Vapparent that by suitably regulating the Vflow ofthe oil from the oil supp'ly device or* iubricator, as shown, the engine cylinder may be thoroughly Vand effectivelyV lubricated Without the use vof an excessive amount of oil. Y

WhenV the device is assembled, the nipple 14: may beinserted as far as desired so that its inner end will either be positioned above thevvater level or close to the same or if desired, the inner end of the nipple 1i may be immersed in the water. If the nipple 14C terminates'above'the'vvater level, the steam passing through the same will strike the oil film and tend to scatter it and then carry it along through the extension 12 into the main steam pipe 18. If the innery end of the nipple terminates just at the surface of the Water, the action will be very similar to' Ythat already described, but if the nipple eX- tends beneath the surface of the water, the steam will bubble up through it and thus break the oil lm into small parts and then carry it into the main steam pipe.

. Wliat `l claim is:

1. In combination With a main steam pipe, a 'receptacle having its end portions provided `With an inlet and an outlet posi- Gopie's of this patent may b e obtained for tioned above the bottom of the receptacle ceptacle, an oil supply device in commnni- I cation with said receptacle, and a second connection between said receptacle and said main steam pipe.

2. The combination with a main steam pipe', a receptacle provided with an inlet and an outlet arranged to form a water solding space in its bottom, a steam conducting pipe from said main pipe communicating with the interior of said receptacle and arranged to direct steam at an angle on to the top surface of the water therein, an oil supply device in communication with said receptacle, and a second connection between said receptacle and said steam pipe.

3. The combination with a main steam pipe, a receptacle provided with an inlet and an outlet arranged to form a water holding space in its bottom, a steam conducting pipe from said main pipe project ing throughV the top of said receptacle at substantially a right angle to the plane of l the surface of the water therein, an oil snpply device in communication with said re` ceptacle, and a second connection between said receptacle and said main steam pipe.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN C. SWOYER. Witnesses:

C. C. SHEPHERD, WALTER E. L. Book.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

